Deze pagina is automatisch vertaald en de nauwkeurigheid van de vertaling kan niet worden gegarandeerd. Raadpleeg de Engelse versie voor een brontekst.

AI and Mindfulness Meditation for Stress Reduction in Medical Students

14 mei 2026 bijgewerkt door: Zabrina Kerr, Saint James School of Medicine

Artificial Intelligence and Mindfulness Meditation: Innovative Methods to Reduce Stress Amongst Medical School Students

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if two stress-reduction methods can lower stress in medical students. The study compares a wearable device and a mindfulness program. The wearable device sends gentle vibrations to the body, while the mindfulness program teaches meditation and stress awareness skills.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

  • Does the wearable device lower stress levels in medical students?
  • Does mindfulness meditation lower stress levels in medical students?
  • Is one method more effective than the other?

Researchers will compare the wearable device to the mindfulness program to see if one works better for reducing stress.

Participants are medical students from Saint James School of Medicine. Each participant will try both methods during the study. Participants will:

  • Use the wearable device daily for four weeks
  • Complete a four-week mindfulness meditation program
  • Take a one-week break between the two methods
  • Complete surveys about stress and satisfaction
  • Have heart rate variability (HRV) measured to assess stress levels

This study will help researchers understand whether wearable technology or mindfulness training is more effective for managing stress in medical students. It may also show if both methods can improve how the body responds to stress over time.

Studie Overzicht

Toestand

Voltooid

Conditie

Interventie / Behandeling

Gedetailleerde beschrijving

This study is a randomized, unblinded, two-period crossover clinical trial designed to evaluate and compare the effects of a wearable stress-modulation device and a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program on stress levels in medical students.

Stress is common among medical students due to academic demands and challenges with maintaining work-life balance. Chronic stress can negatively affect both mental and physical health, including cognitive performance and emotional well-being. Interventions that improve stress regulation may help support student health and academic success.

This study investigates two non-invasive approaches to stress reduction: a wearable device that delivers gentle vibratory stimulation intended to regulate the autonomic nervous system, and a structured mindfulness meditation program designed to improve stress awareness and emotional regulation.

A total of 20 medical students from Saint James School of Medicine were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two sequences:

  • Sequence AB: mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) followed by the wearable device
  • Sequence BA: wearable device followed by MBSR

Each intervention period lasted four weeks and was separated by a one-week washout period to reduce potential carryover effects.

Participants in the MBSR group completed a structured mindfulness program focused on meditation practices and stress management techniques. Participants in the wearable device group used the device regularly during daily activities.

Outcome measures included both subjective and objective assessments:

  • Heart rate variability (HRV), used as a physiological marker of autonomic nervous system regulation and stress response
  • Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (PSQ), using a five-point Likert scale
  • Qualitative surveys to assess participant experiences and perceived stress

The primary objective was to determine whether the wearable device is more effective than mindfulness meditation in reducing stress, as measured by HRV and self-reported outcomes.

Results showed no statistically significant difference between the two interventions in terms of HRV or patient-reported satisfaction. However, both interventions were associated with improvements in HRV over time, suggesting enhanced autonomic regulation. Mindfulness-based stress reduction demonstrated a stronger initial effect, while the wearable device showed smaller but consistent improvements. No significant carryover effects were observed between intervention periods.

These findings suggest that both interventions may support stress reduction and improved autonomic nervous system function in medical students. The wearable device offers a practical advantage, as it can be used during daily activities without requiring dedicated time for practice, unlike mindfulness training.

Future research should include larger sample sizes, consider cultural and environmental factors influencing stress, and use blinded study designs to reduce bias.

Studietype

Ingrijpend

Inschrijving (Werkelijk)

20

Fase

  • Niet toepasbaar

Contacten en locaties

In dit gedeelte vindt u de contactgegevens van degenen die het onderzoek uitvoeren en informatie over waar dit onderzoek wordt uitgevoerd.

Studie Locaties

  • Anguilla
      • The Quarter, Anguilla
        • Saint James School of Medicine

Deelname Criteria

Onderzoekers zoeken naar mensen die aan een bepaalde beschrijving voldoen, de zogenaamde geschiktheidscriteria. Enkele voorbeelden van deze criteria zijn iemands algemene gezondheidstoestand of eerdere behandelingen.

Geschiktheidscriteria

Leeftijden die in aanmerking komen voor studie

  • Kind
  • Volwassen
  • Oudere volwassene

Accepteert gezonde vrijwilligers

Ja

Beschrijving

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Medical Student at Saint James Medical School
  • Proficient in English

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Insufficient stress levels
  • Already owning an Apollo Device
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • Have any medical condition that precluded the use of Apollo

Studie plan

Dit gedeelte bevat details van het studieplan, inclusief hoe de studie is opgezet en wat de studie meet.

Hoe is de studie opgezet?

Ontwerpdetails

  • Primair doel: Behandeling
  • Toewijzing: Gerandomiseerd
  • Interventioneel model: Crossover-opdracht
  • Masker: Geen (open label)

Wapens en interventies

Deelnemersgroep / Arm
Interventie / Behandeling
Experimenteel: Sequence AB
Participants assigned to Sequence AB receive Treatment A in Period 1 followed by Treatment B in Period 2, with a washout period between treatments. Treatment A consists of an AI-supported mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-style) intervention delivered over the first study period. Treatment B consists of a control or alternative stress-reduction condition delivered over the second study period. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the end of each period to evaluate within-subject changes in stress and wellbeing.
Apparaat: Apollo Neuro Wearable
The Apollo Neuro intervention involves the use of a wearable neuromodulation device designed to support stress regulation through gentle, non-invasive vibration patterns. The device delivers low-frequency tactile stimulation intended to promote parasympathetic nervous system activation and improve autonomic balance. Participants wear the device during designated periods throughout the day (e.g., study, relaxation, or sleep) according to a standardized protocol. The intervention aims to reduce physiological and perceived stress levels through continuous somatic signaling and nervous system modulation
Actieve vergelijker: Sequence BA
Participants assigned to Sequence BA receive Treatment B in Period 1 followed by Treatment A in Period 2, with a washout period between treatments. Treatment B consists of a control or alternative stress-reduction condition delivered during the first study period. Treatment A consists of an AI-supported mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-style) intervention delivered during the second study period. Outcomes are assessed at baseline and at the end of each period to evaluate within-subject differences in stress and wellbeing.
Gedragsmatig: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course
The MBSR intervention is an evidence-based structured mindfulness program designed to reduce stress and improve psychological wellbeing. Participants engage in guided mindfulness practices including focused attention meditation, body scanning, and breathing exercises. The intervention emphasizes present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation of thoughts and emotions. Sessions are delivered over a defined study period and are complemented by brief daily at-home mindfulness practice. The goal is to reduce perceived stress, in medical students through repeated mindfulness training and cognitive regulation strategies.

Wat meet het onderzoek?

Primaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Perceived Stress Questionnaire
Tijdsspanne: Baseline; Week 4 (end of Period 1); Week 9 (end of Period 2).
The primary outcome is change in perceived stress among medical students, measured using a validated self-report linear Likert scale such as the Perceived Stress Questionnaire. This measure assesses the degree to which participants perceive their life situations as stressful, including feelings of overload, unpredictability, and lack of control. PSQ scores will be compared within participants in a randomized two-period crossover design evaluating the effects of a 4-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program and a 4-week Apollo Neuro device intervention.
Baseline; Week 4 (end of Period 1); Week 9 (end of Period 2).

Secundaire uitkomstmaten

Uitkomstmaat
Maatregel Beschrijving
Tijdsspanne
Heart Rate Variability
Tijdsspanne: During each intervention period (approximately 4 weeks per period), with comparison of HRV outcomes between Period 1 and Period 2 following completion of each phase of the crossover design (approximately 8 weeks total after enrolment).
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a secondary physiological outcome used to assess autonomic nervous system regulation and stress response. HRV reflects the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats and serves as an objective marker of parasympathetic (vagal) activity and stress resilience. In this randomized two-period, two-sequence (AB/BA) crossover study, each participant serves as their own control, allowing within-subject comparison of HRV across intervention conditions. HRV measurements are used to evaluate changes in physiological stress regulation in response to each intervention period.
During each intervention period (approximately 4 weeks per period), with comparison of HRV outcomes between Period 1 and Period 2 following completion of each phase of the crossover design (approximately 8 weeks total after enrolment).

Medewerkers en onderzoekers

Hier vindt u mensen en organisaties die betrokken zijn bij dit onderzoek.

Sponsor

Saint James School of Medicine

Onderzoekers

  • Hoofdonderzoeker: Mykhailo Vysochyn, MD, PhD, Saint James School of Medicine

Publicaties en nuttige links

De persoon die verantwoordelijk is voor het invoeren van informatie over het onderzoek stelt deze publicaties vrijwillig ter beschikking. Dit kan gaan over alles wat met het onderzoek te maken heeft.

Algemene publicaties

Studie record data

Deze datums volgen de voortgang van het onderzoeksdossier en de samenvatting van de ingediende resultaten bij ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieverslagen en gerapporteerde resultaten worden beoordeeld door de National Library of Medicine (NLM) om er zeker van te zijn dat ze voldoen aan specifieke kwaliteitscontrolenormen voordat ze op de openbare website worden geplaatst.

Bestudeer belangrijke data

Studie start (Werkelijk)

15 mei 2024

Primaire voltooiing (Werkelijk)

24 september 2024

Studie voltooiing (Werkelijk)

6 oktober 2024

Studieregistratiedata

Eerst ingediend

8 mei 2026

Eerst ingediend dat voldeed aan de QC-criteria

14 mei 2026

Eerst geplaatst (Werkelijk)

18 mei 2026

Updates van studierecords

Laatste update geplaatst (Werkelijk)

18 mei 2026

Laatste update ingediend die voldeed aan QC-criteria

14 mei 2026

Laatst geverifieerd

1 mei 2026

Meer informatie

Termen gerelateerd aan deze studie

Trefwoorden

Andere studie-ID-nummers

  • SaintJamesSoM

Plan Individuele Deelnemersgegevens (IPD)

Bent u van plan om gegevens van individuele deelnemers (IPD) te delen?

NEE

Beschrijving IPD-plan

Individual participant data will not be shared publicly due to the small sample size (n=20), sensitive physiological and psychological measures, lack of data-sharing infrastructure, and no requirement for public IPD sharing.

Informatie over medicijnen en apparaten, studiedocumenten

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd geneesmiddel

Nee

Bestudeert een door de Amerikaanse FDA gereguleerd apparaatproduct

Nee

Deze informatie is zonder wijzigingen rechtstreeks van de website clinicaltrials.gov gehaald. Als u verzoeken heeft om uw onderzoeksgegevens te wijzigen, te verwijderen of bij te werken, neem dan contact op met register@clinicaltrials.gov. Zodra er een wijziging wordt doorgevoerd op clinicaltrials.gov, wordt deze ook automatisch bijgewerkt op onze website .

Abonneren